Becton's Journey to Right Guard Stardom: Eagles' New Hope
Training camp for the Philadelphia Eagles kicked off with Mekhi Becton grappling with early challenges. The young lineman found himself struggling in initial matchups against Jalen Carter. However, what began as a rough start soon transformed into a tale of grit, determination, and significant improvement.
Becton's progress was evident as training camp progressed. He began to balance his battles with Carter, showing not just resilience but an ability to learn and adapt quickly. This upward trajectory in his performance placed him as the frontrunner for the starting position at right guard as the Eagles prepared for Week 1 of the season.
In the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, Becton made a strong statement by being the sole first-team starter on the offense to take the field. He participated in eight snaps before Tyler Steen took over. This game marked Becton's first experience playing right guard in a live setting, an opportunity he embraced with open arms and an analytical mindset.
"There's always room for improvement on anything," Becton remarked post-game. "This was the first time I ever played right guard in a live game. Of course, I'm gonna look at the film with Stout [Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland] and figure out what we need to do. We'll come together and combine it."
The transition to right guard came with its challenges, but Becton received valuable insights from his teammates. Cam Jurgens, who has been instrumental in helping Becton adjust, explained, "A lot of it's talking about angles and where I want him to be and just how different every D-lineman plays. You're going to have two gappers, penetrators, different guys play different techniques, so figuring out how the footwork changes from each defensive guy and where that linebacker is and if we have certain motions where it may change our footwork."
Jurgens' advice wasn't the only encouragement Becton received. Landon Dickerson, another key figure on the offensive line, praised Becton's rapid adaptation. "A little bit of an adjustment for him, but the way he's built, the way he can move with his long arms, his reach, his lateral quickness, I think right now he's really excelling at that position. And it is an adjustment, but he's handling it extremely well," Dickerson noted.
Dickerson further commented on Becton's seamless integration and persistent improvement, "For him to make that transition and come inside, and the way he's been able to succeed in doing well in practice, and come out here every day and keep getting better, is impressive."
As Becton continues to refine his skill set, he remains focused on mastering his footwork and hand techniques—crucial components for excelling at the right guard position. "It's still O-line at the end of the day. I still gotta get my hands. I still gotta do my footwork. It's just all about attacking my footwork and I did attack it," Becton said.
His journey from struggling to find his footing to becoming a vital part of the Eagles' offensive line is a testament to his perseverance and adaptability. "It's been fun. We had a little back and forth today. We went against each other and you know I'm starting to catch up to him. I'm starting to get his number. We're starting to get each others' numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton shared enthusiastically.
Becton's ongoing progress is not just a personal victory but also a critical development for the Eagles as they gear up for the upcoming season. His role as the likely starting right guard will be pivotal in ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the offensive line. As he continues to work closely with his coaches and teammates, Becton’s future in Philadelphia looks promising, underscoring a narrative of growth, resilience, and continuous improvement.